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MLS Major League Soccer

Third Annual "MLS Fantasy Challenge" Kicks Off Today

March 1, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Monday, March 1, 2004) - Registration for the "2004 MLS Fantasy Challenge," the Official Fantasy Game of Major League Soccer (powered by The Sporting News), begins today at fantasy.MLSnet.com. The 29-week competition begins in conjunction with the April 3 kickoff of Major League Soccer's ninth season, which this year will feature all ten teams in action on opening day beginning with the defending MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes visiting D.C. United live on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Fans who register for the free fantasy contest via MLSnet.com have the opportunity to win more than 400 MLS prizes, including all-expense paid trips for two to the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game on July 24 and MLS Cup 2004 on November 14. Prizes include the chance to distribute t-shirts on the field to the Cup-winning team, autographed All-Star jerseys, official autographed MLS memorabilia, and several other exclusive MLS items.

"MLS is again proud to partner with the fantasy experts at The Sporting News to offer an even more competitive, detailed and authentic online fantasy game than in 2003, which was the most successful in League history," said MLS Vice President of Marketing Stu Crystal. "Our fans demand the best, and with great mid-season and end of the season Grand Prizes, we now offer fantasy aficionados another great way to connect with our League, teams and players."

Major League Soccer's Fantasy Challenge is a free weekly online fantasy game that allows soccer fans the opportunity to manage their own soccer team using real-life statistical results. Using a salary budget of 2,000,000 MLS dollars, team owners select 11-player squads, and can follow their team's weekly progress throughout the season. The better players perform on the MLS playing field, the more fantasy points they earn for their team.

"The Sporting News is pleased to once again power Major League Soccer's Official Fantasy Soccer Game," said Erik Barmack, GM of Fantasy Games for SportingNews.com. "Through this game, fans have a great opportunity to stimulate and supplement their interest in MLS players and teams and to prove their savvy as a Major League Soccer general manager."

As the owner, general manager, and coach of their very own MLS fantasy team, fans have the opportunity to put their favorite players on the same side. The 2004 MLS Fantasy Challenge rewards goal scorers and defenders alike, making a balanced team a necessity to win. Fantasy owners must examine team vs. team matchups to pick their starting 11 each week, while taking into consideration player trends, salary budget, the potential of budding young players or international stars, national team duty, injuries and unproductive performers, all with the goal of producing a championship team. With player values changing daily, and limited trades, managers will need to monitor MLS games regularly in order to stay sharp.

While prizes are based on overall individual standings, fans can create their own divisions with the opportunity to compete against family, friends, co-workers as well as MLS fans across the globe. Each week's winners and their teams will be profiled on fantasy.MLSnet.com, and the manager will have a chance to share their knowledge and expertise with other MLS Fantasy Challenge participants.

Fantasy teams with the highest overall point total at the conclusion of the 2004 MLS regular season (October 17, 2004) will be eligible to win the Grand Prize, which includes a trip for two to MLS Cup 2004 on Sunday, November 14. The winner of this trip for two will be the lucky fan to distribute MLS Cup t-shirts and hats to the champions on the field after the game.

The MLS Fantasy Challenge is supplemented by MLSnet.com's gameday coverage, including live data feeds from each stadium powered by Elias Sports Bureau, and up-to-the-minute information, including results, schedules, standings, game recaps, quote sheets, statistics, player biography pages, predictions, capsules and analysis.

Major League Soccer's ninth season kicks off on Saturday, April 3 with all ten teams in action. The defending MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes travel to the nation's capitol to face D.C. United live on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. ET. Later that day, the Columbus Crew host the MetroStars, the Kansas City Wizards welcome the Chicago Fire, the Dallas Burn return to the Cotton Bowl against the Colorado Rapids, and the Los Angeles Galaxy host the New England Revolution in a rematch of MLS Cup 2002.

About Major League Soccer:

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features many top stars from the United States and around the world. The ten teams that comprise MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, New England Revolution and the Defending Champion San Jose Earthquakes. Major League Soccer's ninth season kicks off April 3, 2004. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official Web site at www.MLSnet.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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